State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Announces Release of
More Than $106 Million to Schools Under Proposition 39

SACRAMENTO—More than $106 million—the first round of funding under voter-approved Proposition 39—is going to school districts next week to help them begin planning new energy efficiency projects around the state, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced today.

"Energy efficiency projects in our schools will help create jobs, protect our environment, save money, and create teachable moments for students all at the same time," Torlakson said. "With Proposition 39, voters made it clear that they see support for education and the environment—and the intersection of the two—as a direct investment in the future of California."

Voters passed the California Clean Energy Jobs Act (Proposition 39) last November. It allocates revenue to local educational agencies to support energy efficiency and alternative energy projects, along with related improvements and repairs that contribute to reduced operating costs and improved health and safety conditions in public schools. Proposition 39 will direct about $2.5 billion in new revenues over five years to fund projects by California's K-12 public schools, charter schools, county offices of education, and community colleges. Specific requirements for how the funds will be allocated are outlined in Senate Bill 73[http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/13-14/bill/sen/sb_0051-0100/sb_73_bill_20130627_chaptered.htm].

This first round of funding is specifically dedicated to planning, and the complete list of recipients and amounts can be found on the California Department of Education's funding results for the Prop 39 grant Web page. There will be a second application period for planning funds early next year. For additional details, visit the CDE's California Clean Energy Jobs Act Web page or the California Energy Commission's The California Clean Energy Jobs Act [http://www.energy.ca.gov/efficiency/proposition39/index.html]
Web page.